What inspired you to get involved in volunteering?
I have always had trouble with public speaking, but in high school I had an opportunity to be in a play and by slipping into another character I was able to find a voice that I could then carry into other areas of my life. Chesterfield Children’s Theatre (CCT) provides that opportunity to kids at a younger age, those who attend schools where the arts funding has been cut, those that are not cast due to competition in their school or even adults that are looking to improve in this area or take advantage of an opportunity that did not exist for them before.
Are there any specific challenges or obstacles the organization has faced along the way, and how did you and the organization overcome the challenges?
Our biggest challenge as a nonprofit organization is how to raise funds to support our programming while keeping the cost down for our families. CCT does not charge any fees to participate and if something does need to be purchased, such as a piece for a costume, we will help to cover the cost for families that have multiple participants, or a financial hardship. We are always accepting donations, partnering with local restaurants and other businesses to hold events where a portion of the proceeds come back to our group, in addition to the obvious ticket sales and snack bar proceeds from each show.
What are some of the key achievements in your volunteering that you are proud of?
I don’t know if proud is the right word, but the things I enjoy most with this activity are seeing the kids gain confidence, become more comfortable with public speaking, become more outgoing, and form friendships with each other. I like it when people that would not otherwise have an opportunity due to disability light up when they realize they can participate with us and the relief on the parents faces when they realize they do not have to tell their kids ‘no’ because of money. I am proud of the work that the board and I did during the pandemic to find ways to keep the theater going even when we could not put on shows, so that future participants can experience all of the above and more with us.
Can you share any advice for others?
This is not just for theater it really applies to everything: Just get out there and try it. Do not worry about if you are good at first, you will get better with practice.
What motivates you to continue pushing boundaries and striving for excellence in your volunteering activities?
Performing arts, arts in general, are being cut from schools as budget constraints get tighter and tighter. Studies have shown the benefits to mental health, confidence, creative thinking, and problem-solving skills that are gained when kids have access to arts programming. While I have focused here on Chesterfield Children’s Theatre due to my involvement with the board, I do also participate with Concert Ballet of Virginia, and Broken Leg Theater, because I believe those groups are integral to making sure that kids still have those opportunities for growth and development.
Is there anything else you would like to share about the organizations?
We have a performance of Rainbow Fish in late April at Elizabeth Davis Middle School. If you are in the Richmond, VA area, please come by and support us. This is a beginner’s show with about half our cast being ages 3-6. Tickets are available at the door or on showtix4u.com. For information about upcoming auditions or shows you can also follow us on Facebook.